<HTML><HEAD> <META charset=UTF-8 http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charse= t=utf-8"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2730.1700" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffff= f"> <DIV> <DIV>In a message dated 9/25/2003 8:27:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time, pianobui= lders@olynet.com writes:<FONT face=Arial><BR><BR>One easy way to do this i= s to simply change the shape of the hammershank.<BR>The currently in vogue h= exagonal hammershank cross-section shape is not the<BR>best. In fact, it's n= ot really very good at all. Many early action makers<BR>used a rectangular s= hape well out toward the end of the shank. Some of the<BR>Pratt-Read shanks = we used in the 1970s started out with this rectangular<BR>shape extending ou= t about 3/4 of the length of the shank in the bass, about<BR>half way throug= h the tenor, and about 1/4 the length in the treble. Why<BR>this is no longe= r done is a mystery to me. I guess the idea didn't<BR>originate in Germany.<= BR><BR><FONT size=4>Del</FONT></FONT></DIV></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#000040 size=4></FONT> </= DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#000040 size=4>  Del</FON= T></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#000040 size=4>  The Abel= shanks have gone to an all thinned shank.Though not the shape you= r are referring to they seem to be made of very stiff Hornbeam, I'm guessing= now. What is your opinion of this. Mine is that it works well with modest h= ammer weights but now wonder at action saturation with heavier hammers. The = last set I used was heavier than the octaganal shaped Renners. That's wood f= or you.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=#000040 size=4>   Da= le</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>